In 1993, I attended my first global auto show — Geneva — and fell in love with the Renault Twingo (and returned home with a cool Twingo watch and laptop bag). Over three decades later, the Twingo is back as an affordable EV for Europe, following up on the concept shown in late 2023. WHAT’S A TWINGO? Sharing the same basic architecture as the new Renault 5 E-Tech, the new Twingo evokes the original with its semi-circular lamps, one-box profile, and playful touches — all for a

This year’s Reuters Automotive USA event in Detroit (#reautousa) offered an opportunity to hear from suppliers, analysts, and automakers as the auto industry faces unprecedented levels of chaos and uncertainty. Here are some of the key automaker insights I came away with: Rivian ’s CFO Claire McDonough was optimistic as the company prepares to launch the $45,000 R2 but noted that Rivian was not yet a household name—and that needs to change. She pointed to Rivian’s strong ver

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/Oy23erag3MI This year’s Japan Mobility Show—the event formerly known as the Tokyo motor show—was once again a showcase for Japanese automakers, with one notable exception. And while the 2023 event featured a strong focus on EVs, the number of this year’s concepts didn’t even specify what was under the hood. Here’s a look at some of the notable production and concept debuts at the show… BYD RACCO: THE CHINESE COME KNOCKING... Chinese

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/t7OSZXkQXWU Toyota’s ‘Baby’ Land Cruiser Just in time for the original Land Cruiser’s 75th anniversary, Toyota will launch the long-rumored Land Cruiser FJ--a spiritual successor to the Tacoma-based FJ Cruiser--next year. There had been some speculation (fueled by the electric Compact Cruiser concept shown in 2022) that this new product might be an electrified BFI entry, but that’s definitely not the case. Underneath is Toyota’s 21-year-o

photos: Toyota Just in time for the Land Cruiser BJ’s 75th anniversary, Toyota will launch the long-rumored Land Cruiser FJ--a spiritual successor to the Tacoma-based FJ Cruiser--next year. WHAT IS IT? Although there had been some speculation (fueled by the electric Compact Cruiser concept shown in 2022) that this new product might be an electrified BFI entry, that’s definitely not the case. Underneath is Toyota’s 21-year-old IMV body-on-frame platform that was originally de

Well, there are definitely some interesting surprises here in AutoPacific ’s latest study... I’m not surprised at the increased familiarity with Chinese brands. Between Jim Farley’s praise of Xiaomi and the ongoing EV sales battle between Tesla and BYD, stories about the Chinese brands are going beyond business columns and buff books. The increased interest in buying a Chinese vehicle does come as a bit of a surprise, as I still hear plenty of concern--at least here in the

photo: Toyota Can Toyota break into the ultraluxury space dominated by Rolls-Royce and Bentley? They think they can, with plans to spin off the nearly sixty-year-old Toyota Century nameplate into a separate brand (not unlike what Hyundai did with Genesis). We’ll see a dramatic coupe concept at the Japan Mobility Show in a couple of weeks--and perhaps learn a little more about how they plan to pull this off--but, until then, a few points to ponder... Toyota has already tried

It appears Stellantis’ new CEO isn’t wasting any time fixing up the company’s North American portfolio. The announcement yesterday of a $13B investment and five new models raises some interesting questions... 🔸 Next-gen Dodge Durango to be built in Detroit This confirms what was announced back in January, and so is the least surprising bit of news here, and suggests the Durango will continue to be twinned with the Grand Cherokee. With the next-gen Grand Cherokee announced as

I will confess, I got a huge wave of deja vu upon seeing the striking new Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic concept--specifically, the equally dramatic Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 (see comparison, below) from (surprisingly) nine years ago. A little research revealed that the older concept is over two feet longer than the newer one, making the latter slightly more production-intent (although, of course, Mercedes hasn’t committed to anything yet).With the reintroduction of the 1960s-

Dacia’s Hip New EV Who doesn’t like a stylish, innovative, urban EV? Several European automakers have talked about the idea of an “ E-car ”, comparable to Japan’s kei car (which has limits on length, width, and engine displacement): an affordable entry-level vehicle that would be subject to fewer costly regulations. Dacia notes that 100 automotive regulations have been added in Europe since 2010, and another 100 are due by 2030—all adding mass, cost, and complexity. The Daci

This week, I had a chance to spend a day at The Battery Show here in Detroit. Although I am not an electrical engineer, there was enough...

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/HDX_K7ehFZU LOOK—A NEW CAR! It’s not often these days that you see a steel-bodied, internal...

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/Kuw0j88JyzE TOYOTA’S NEW BZ7 FLAGSHIP Originally shown as a concept in Shanghai, Toyota’s electric...

Hyundai’s annual Investor Day brings significant news around product, technology, and powertrain… Retains 2030 global sales target of...

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/tIGIUlPeu2M Although I was fortunate to attend IAA in Munich two years ago, this year I watched all...

photos: Audi I recall seeing the original Audi TT concept unveiled at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show — and being a huge fan. I was...

Check out the video: https://youtu.be/5QfQHO23eT4 Jeep Cherokee After over a two-year absence, the Cherokee—once the struggling brand’s best-seller—returns to showrooms at the end of this year. Although it shares its STLA Large platform with the new Dodge Charger, the Cherokee retains its transverse FWD/AWD configuration. Visually, it picks up cues from the classic XJ Cherokee from the 1980s, but has grown to within a few inches of the midsize Grand Cherokee—and gained 400

"It's probably going to suck." Yes, it's a "dad joke", but not a new one; similarly snarky comments were circulating eight years ago when...

They say that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. It appears VW's strategy and marketing teams missed all the lessons...

It looks like Nissan and Infiniti showrooms will be showing signs of life in the near future, if the latest report from Automotive News...